Thursday, November 17, 2005

If Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper gives the go-ahead, lobbying will start next month to woo the 2008 Democratic National Convention to Denver.

Dan Slater, vice chairman of the state Democratic party, said the push would start at the Democratic National Committee’s December meeting in Phoenix.

Slater and city Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth are spearheading the effort to attract the convention, the third attempt in less than a decade.

The two talked with Hickenlooper last month about a possible bid. Slater said Hickenlooper is studying the issue.

“We are in the process of collecting facts and experiences of other cities that have hosted political conventions, both the economic benefits in terms of revenues and also the costs,” said Lindy Eichenbaum Lent, the mayor’s spokeswoman.

Denver is the only city reported to be actively studying a bid. I think the earlier they act, the more likely they'll get the bid.